Daniel Andrews is likely to be rejected from joining one of Victoria’s most elite golf clubs, with members still furious at the premier for months of endless Covid lockdowns.
The ex-Victorian Premier had reportedly set his sights on joining the Portsea Golf Club, according to The Herald Sun.
The vast majority of the golf club’s members who were aware of Mr Andrews’ endeavours, have reportedly strongly opposed him joining.
Mr Andrew’s friend and confidante, property baron Max Beck, had approached the club to ask about his potential membership.
“I can’t believe how small-minded people can be,” Mr Beck said.
“It’s just all about a bloke who wants to play golf and enjoy the rest of his life. It’s ridiculous. “He’s worked his guts out for the state with his beliefs.”
Mr Beck approached the club’s powerbrokers in an attempt to put in a few good words for his friend, testing the waters on whether Mr Andrews might be able to join the club ranks.
“I’m very disappointed, but we’ll just see whether the [Portsea Golf Club] committee takes into account his political beliefs or his personality and his golfing ability – they are the two things they should be assessing him on,” he said.
Former professional golf star Mark Allen has also weighed in on the decision, saying it is every club’s right to “do what it wants socially.”
“Once there is an overwhelming [consensus], it’s a very easy thing to do to put a black line through their name,” he said.
Mr Allen also mentioned the locals of the Mornington Peninsula have not “not forgiven him” for enforcing severe lockdown restrictions during the pandemic.
“On Friday night at Sorrento Hotel it was the talk of the region,” he shared.
“To the point where not only members from Portsea but from other clubs as well were saying that they will not let him join anywhere down there.
The area was dragged into an extended metropolitan lockdown, despite being more than 70km away from Melbourne CBD, during a time when all golf was banned.